On most of these programs you get in the water with these marine mammals (cooling off already!) and since Atlantic bottlenose dolphins seem to prefer coldish water, their habitats at some dolphin-swim facilities are usually kept on the refreshing side (the Dolphin Lagoon at Discovery Cove in Orlando, for instance, is kept at around 72 degrees). But no matter what the water temperature is, what could be cooler than spending a little time interacting with one of these friendly, graceful and smart creatures? Here are some options to consider at popular destinations in Florida. Visit each website for additional information including costs, amenities and age and other restrictions of each program.

Duck Key – Hawk's Cay Resort offers Dolphin Connection with a variety of programs to interact with dolphins including Dolphin Discovery, a hands-on program, and Trainer for a Day, to learn how to train a dolphin. These optional activities are featured in an ocean-fed saltwater lagoon. For those who wish to interact with a dolphin without leaving terra firma, the Dockside Dolphins program is available. Visit www.hawkscay.com.

Islamorada – Theater of the Sea features encounters with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays. All mammal swim programs occur in water 10 to 15 feet deep in a saltwater lagoon. Participants learn training hand signals to communicate with the mammals, receive dolphin kisses, hugs and a dorsal-fin tow to the lagoon shore. A Dolphin Wade program occurs in three- to four-foot deep area and includes kisses from a dolphin and personal interaction. Visit www.theaterofthesea.com.

Key Largo – Dolphins Plus offers various animal encounters and educational programs related to marine mammals. Participants in the facility's "structured swims" learn to rub a dolphin's belly, get a kiss, and experience a dorsal fin tow while in shoulder deep water. "Natural swims" require wearing a snorkel mask and fins while floating and interacting with dolphins in an environment that mimics the wild. Full-day programs invite guests to become a "trainer for a day" or spend a day in the dolphin exploration lab with dolphins and sea lions. Visit www.dolphinsplus.com.

Also in Key Largo, Dolphin Cove features "structured swims," "natural swims" and "shallow water encounters" with dolphins. Participants on structured swims enjoy handshakes with the dolphin, belly rubs and dorsal fin tow. Natural swims take place in a natural lagoon and offer hands-on interaction with a dolphin. A shallow water encounter requires participants to get only waist-deep in the lagoon when interacting with the marine mammals. Each participant receives direct contact with a dolphin, and learns hand signals. Visit www.dolphinscove.com.

Miami

The Miami Seaquarium presents a Dolphin Encounter program in shallow water (no swimming involved). Participants interact with the dolphin during a 30-minute session, getting a kiss and shaking "hands," and learning training signals. A Dolphin Odyssey program is also offered featuring all sorts of behaviors including kissing, feeding and a dorsal pull. Visit www.miamiseaquarium.com.

Orlando

Options here include:

Discovery Cove – This lushly landscaped enclave across from SeaWorld Orlando features a beautiful Dolphin Lagoon where a 30-minute encounter is offered including guest-dolphin interactions (the creature gives visitors a kiss, executes jumps and "waves" goodbye among various behaviors) and there is a dorsal fin tow for a swim with the dolphin. Visit www.discoverycove.com.

Epcot, Walt Disney World – At The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion in Epcot's Future World section, visitors may opt for the Dolphins in Depth program to get up close and personal with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The experience lasts three hours including a 30-minute interaction with the dolphins in waist-deep water. Participants can take photos with the animals and pet them. Visit www.disneyworld.com.

Sea World Orlando – The Marine Mammal Keeper Experience package enables guests to interact with dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions and manatees. During this full day program, participants follow a keeper through a variety of tasks that include water encounters and training sessions. Visit www.seaworld.com/orlando.

Anyone can dig a hole in the ground and fill it with water. For a truly unique resort pool, here are some Florida resorts from Orlando theme parks to the Florida Keys to the Panhandle that have gone above and beyond.